Mastitis

[coco111]

Hi,

Yesterday my left boob started throbbing really suddenly. I just thought my daughter who is 8 months needed feeding so fed her but pain didn't subside. I went to bed and woke up this morning it's agony. My left nipple is bright red and so so painful. I can't care the thought of feeding her with that boob. I rang doctors who said they think mastitis and have prescribed antibiotics. What can I do to help with the pain whilst feeding her? Obviously don't want milk to dry up. I'm exhausted and my legs are aching. Is this normal?

Cold compresses and breast massage

https://www.instagram.com/s/aGlnaGxpZ2h0OjE3ODQ3OTgxMzM1NTY5OTY2?story_media_id=2572922901829282628_46697406971&igsh=MWUxOTl2NXBsZ3Ywcw==

Olivia Hinge is an NHS lactation consultant

You poor thing. Mastitis is awful. I got a fever and felt really run down with it too - felt like the flu. You do have to feed on that side, horrendous though it is. Take regular painkillers (seek advice from pharmacy on what is safe with breastfeeding... I think paracetamol is fine, but they might be able to give you something stronger that is still safe). Hope you feel better soon.

I feel for you. I still vividly remember the pain from forty years ago! Advice then was to continue feeding from both sides but that may very well be outdated now.

Hope the pain is relieved soon.

So sorry you're in pain, I have been there a few times (bf ds until 2y5m)
If you can, feed on that side. And even better if you can squeeze the milk out the boob at the same time. It may only take 30 seconds of absolute agony but should get instant relief for you. You could try expressing instead if feeding is too much (however this was worse for me)
I also lay hot water bottles on my breasts then massage the area again and again

Good luck! Hope you feel better soon xx

The anti-bios should work very quickly. You have my sympathies. I had it 3 times with dc2 and really suffered.

Thank you so much. If anybody took antibiotics how long was it before they started to work? I have my eldest son's birthday party on Sunday morning and would hate to let him down.

I'm even worse today. I'm vomiting have a high fever and my boob is actually in agony.

Started antibiotics yesterday does anybody know when I will start feeling better? Genuinely feel like I'm dying.

You may need higher dose antibiotics.

The first time I had mastitis, the GP said guidelines state loser dose should be prescribed first but that she understood how awful mastitis is and gave me the higher dose (which was double).

Can you ring 111 or is there an out of hours GP service in your area?

I started feeling better within hours. I'm so sorry you are going through this.

I was prescribed Flucloxacillin 500 mg to take for 2 weeks.

I wouldn't wish this on anybody it really is awful. It's my son's birthday party tomorrow and I would obviously love to go but right now I can't even walk.

Heat and massage are no longer the advised care for mastitis so please don’t do this, it’s cold compress and feeding your baby from the affected breast until it’s comfortable not as much as possible.

I would call someone now seeing as you’re so much worse.

I had no idea @Garman I treated mine at home myself using NHS guidance page. Though I'll admit it never said to use a hot water bottle it does still currently say warm compress/bath or shower. And cold....
Glad you posted this as I have a few blocked ducts at the moment I'm keeping an eye on so will follow your advice going forward if they get worse. I stopped feeding ds 3 months ago

Sorry for the misinformation op! Really hope you feel better for tomorrow you poor thing!! Are paracetamol helping at all? Can you take ibuprofen too?

You need cold compress, massage it a lot and see the course of antibiotics through. I currently have it and had it 3 months ago, it's horrible. Definitely recommend trying the outer leaves of a cabbage (fresh, not cooked) as its a natural anti-inflammatory and perfect shape to cup round the breast. Works a treat and natural so no unnecessary drugs. Put it in a soft bra or a loose top when at home.

Ive heard of putting cabbage leaves on the boobs, apparently works. Antibiotics shoukd sort it out too tho!.. or warm compresses and change pisitions when feeding baby when u feel some pain starting, i mean for next time, before u develop another mastitis..if theres some spot that hurts on the boob adjust baby so baby gets the milk from that spot , i dont know if it makes sense in words. Some crazy positions i had to do sometimes, but prevents this happening

@coco111 Are you feeling any better?